Reduced contrast sensitivity, pattern electroretinogram ratio, and diminished a-wave amplitude in patients with major depressive disorder

• DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01826-8
• Publication Date: 2024-05-28T07:01:58Z
• Authors: Evelyn B. N. Friedel; Ludger Tebartz va...; Malina Beringer; Dominique Endres; Kimon Runge; Simon Maier; Jürgen Kornmeier; Michael Bach; Katharina Domschke; Sven P. Heinrich; Kathrin Nickel
• Keywords: Erg; Depression; Electroretinography

Abstract The electroretinogram (ERG), a non-invasive electrophysiological tool used in ophthalmology, is increasingly applied to investigate neural correlates of depression. present study aimed reconsider previous findings major depressive disorder (MDD) reporting (1) diminished contrast sensitivity and (2) reduced patten ERG (PERG) amplitude ratio, additionally, assess (3) the photopic negative response (PhNR) from flash (fERG), with RETeval® device, more practical option for clinical routine use. We examined 30 patients MDD 42 healthy controls (HC), assessing individual thresholds an optotype-based test. Moreover, we compared PERG established method early glaucoma detection, between both groups. handheld device was measure amplitudes peak times fERG components including a-wave, b-wave PhNR HCs. exhibited together HC. With found a-wave MDD, whereas no significant differences were observed or controls. ratio supports hypothesis that depression associated altered visual processing. underscore PERG’s potential as possible objective marker recorded system might open new avenues using devices simplified approaches advancing research PERG.